Mental Health and Addictions – Associate Certificate

Program Details

Length: 3 courses over 3 terms

Total Credits: 6

Intake Terms: Fall

Delivery Method: Online

Campus: Castlegar

Credential: Associate Certificate

Cost:

Approximate program cost

Student Loans:

This program is eligible for student loans

Credential Received

Associate Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions

Overview

Program Summary

If you are already studying or working in the human service or health care fields, you can earn an Associate Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions to take your career to a new level. Focused on the specific needs of clients coping with mental health and substance use challenges, you’ll be ready for a variety of workplace settings and challenges.

In this program, you will complete two online courses that examine current research about the causes and treatment of mental health and substance use challenges for marginalized populations and participate in a two-day experiential workshop focused on motivational interviewing skills.

This certificate is designed for those who wish to focus their practice in the area of mental health and addictions and may be of interest to:

Human services students
Human services workers
Degree holders looking for work-related skills and/or credentials
Nurses wishing to practice in the area of mental health and addictions

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Demonstrate professionalism in practice consistent with the code of ethics and standards of practice of their respective disciplines
Use effective interpersonal skills, including active listening, collaboration, self-awareness and conflict resolution within multi-faceted roles and contexts
Understand and respect cultural differences and multiple ways of knowing
Practice from an ethic of inclusivity
Establish and maintain wellness strategies to assure work/life balance both personally and professionally
Engage in critical thinking, problem-solving and reflective practice

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Completion of the Health and Human Services diploma or two years of a relevant program; or completion of a certificate program in Health and Human Services or relevant field and two years of experience in the field; or five years of experience in the Health and Human Services field and permission from the instructor and chair of Health and Human Services.

English Studies 12 or equivalent, with a minimum of 60% or higher

Additional Requirements

The below listed documents need to be submitted to apply for this program.

If the admission requirement for the certificate or diploma was completed at Selkirk College, the below information is not required.

A letter from the applicant’s employer stating their position and employment history
Resumé
Official copy of secondary and post-secondary transcripts
Two letters of reference

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. CERTIFICATE, ADVANCED CERTIFICATE& DIPLOMA PROGRAMS

Students applying to the diploma program immediately following completion of a Human Services Certificate Program, may request that the contents of their file be transferred.

2. PART-TIME STUDIES IN HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS

a) Acceptance to an individual course does not constitute admission to the program. All program admissions will be considered according to Part I, A: Admissions Requirements.

b) The ECCE, EACSW, SSW Certificate programs and the Human Services Diploma program may be completed on a part-time basis depending on number of spaces available. Students choosing to complete a program on a part time basis must meet with a program coordinator, councillor and/or School Chair at the time of acceptance to plan a course of studies.

c) Students who have been accepted for part time studies and are in good standing academically will normally be accepted upon re-application to the next term. Refer to Part II, Section B, Promotions re: academic requirements.

Graduation and Promotion

In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and a grade of a “C” or better in all semester courses.

In order to graduate with Honors students must meet all program requirements with no grades less than a B- and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Program Courses

Term 1

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
ADD384	Addictions Theory and Practice	3.00	45

Term 2

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
HSER257	Mental Health Issues: Practical Responses	3.00	45

Term 3

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
HSER600	Motivational Interviewing - Brief Interventions and Support Strategies Workshop	0.00	12

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term: Fall

Effective Year: 20240801

Advanced Standing:

ADVANCE OR TRANSFER CREDIT

a) Transfer credit will be given for university transfer courses equivalent to Selkirk College courses, providing a grade of "C" or better was achieved.

b) Applications for transfer credit from other ECCE, SSW or EACSW programs will be reviewed with provincial articulation agreements and considered on an individual basis; applicants may be required to provide detailed course outlines.

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT (PLA)

a) Advance credit in core program courses (i.e., SSW, ECCE, EACSW and HSER) may be granted by the School Chair or designate after evaluation of the applicant’s mastery of course objectives. See program specific guidelines for PLA.

b) Credit for Final Practicum will not be awarded through PLA in Human Services programs.

Re-Entry Instructions:

1. An application is required for enrolment in program courses in subsequent years.

2. Normally, students who must interrupt their program may apply for re-admission, within one year of departure, on the basis of the following priorities:

a) Students in good standing who interrupted their program for illness or other personal reasons.

b) Students who failed to meet program requirements for promotion.

c) Students transferring from another program within BC.

3. Students who fail to complete a semester successfully may apply to re-enter and repeat the incomplete semester when it is next offered. (Normally, there is a period of 12 months between offerings of a course or semester.)

4. Normally, a student returning in one year or less will retain full credit for all courses previously completed. After more than one year's absence, students may be required to update or repeat courses previously completed. A grade of "C" or credit granted in each repeated course is required for re-entry.

5. Students who withdraw for medical or psychological reasons will provide evidence to the School Chair from a licensed practitioner regarding the suitability of his/her return to the program.

6. Students must complete the program in its entirety within 60 calendar months from the time of initial entry into the program.

7. Students who have successfully completed their Selkirk College Human Services certificate within the previous year are considered to be a re-entry student.

8. Re-entry full-time students who have successfully completed their previous year are given priority over part time students.

Assessment:

Grading for theory courses will be as per the Standard Academic and Career Grading Table as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. Grading for practicum courses will be as per the Competency Based Grades as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading.

Grading Table: Other

Grading Table: Both the Standard Academic and Career and the Competency Based grading tables will be used.

Program Specific Regulations:

Attendance:

1. Students absent for 20% or more in a given course may be placed on behavioural probation. If a student arrives more than 10 minutes late or leaves more than 10 minutes early, they may be recorded as absent.

2. Students absent from any courses are responsible for the work they have missed and must make up assignments as required.

3. Students are responsible to inform the instructor in advance of any absences.

4. Students participating in on-line classes are expected to access and read all materials posted on their course site. If any aspect of the course has not been opened and/or participated in the student will be considered absent for that class.

Assignments:

(i) A minimum of three evaluative events will occur as specified in course outlines.

(ii) Students are evaluated and graded in each subject or course topic as indicated in the respective course outline.

(iii) Assignments are due on the date stated on course or assignment outlines. A student may request one extension per course. The request must be made in writing no less than 24 hours before the due date. If the instructor grants permission for the extension the revised due date will be determined by the instructor.

(iv) Under extenuating circumstances further requests for extensions may be granted only after the student has participated in a mandatory consultation with the Department Head of Student Access and Support or designate and has presented the instructor with a written plan outlining how they intend to complete their work in a timely manner.

(v) A penalty of 10% per day will be assessed against late assignments. All assignments must be handed in by the last day of classes in order to achieve a passing grade and advance to the practicum.

(vi) All course assignments must be completed to achieve a passing grade.

(vii) All assignments must be typed.

(viii) Students may, at the discretion of the instructor, rewrite a maximum of one assignment per course. Rewrites must be submitted for marking within 14 calendar days of the return of the original assignment to the student. Rewritten assignments will receive a maximum grade of 75%.

(ix) Students are expected to write tests on the designated dates. If, for legitimate absences, the student misses a test, he/she must write the test as soon as possible with the permission of the instructor.

Examinations

(i) Exams, labs, projects, assignments, and other evaluative activities are weighted and averaged as indicated in the respective course outline.

(ii) No single evaluative event shall be worth more than 50% of the final grade.

(iii) For courses involving practicum placements (ECCE 195, 286, 292, 294; SSW 163, 168; EASC 195, 196; HSER 270, 280) evaluation occurs on a continuous basis and graded CRG or NCG as per the Competency Based Selkirk Grading Table in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. All practicum activities may be considered evaluative events. Informal verbal and/or written feedback is regularly provided by the instructor and practicum supervisors. Depending on the length of the course there may be one or more performance appraisals or evaluations.

Professional Requirements:

1. Codes of Ethics and Competencies

Students are expected to know, understand and abide by the applicable Codes of Ethics:

a) Child and Youth Care Worker;

b) Social Service Worker;

c) Early Childhood Educator.

d) Education Assistant & Community Support Worker.

2. Guidelines for Professional Conduct

In addition students are expected to consistently demonstrate professional conduct based on the following guidelines:

e) exercise personal discipline, accountability and judgement,

f) accept personal responsibility for continued competency and learning,

g) assist and serve the public, client or patient and place them before oneself,

h) recognize the dignity and worth of all persons in any level of society,

i) assist others in learning,

j) recognize one’s own limitations and areas for development, and

k) maintain confidentiality of information appropriate to the purpose and trust given when that information is acquired.

Professional Conduct will be measured by: one’s professional abilities, personal integrity, and the attitude one demonstrates in relationship with others.

3. Students who violate these professional standards may be required to withdraw from their Program.

4. Students may be required to withdraw when ethical, medical or other reasons interfere with the satisfactory completion of their Program.